Portland and Columbus win first leg of MLS conference finals
New York Red Bulls’ Sal Zizzo jumps over Justin Meram of the Columbus Crew SC while chasing after the ball.
Liam Ridgewell, Dairon Asprilla and Nat Borchers scored and the Portland Timbers beat FC Dallas, 3-1, Sunday night in the first leg of Major League Soccer’s Western Conference finals.
David Texeira scored in the 61st minute to cut Dallas’ deficit to 2-1. But Borchers scored at the 90-minute mark.
The Timbers have the upper hand going into the second leg, set for Sunday in Texas. The winner on aggregate will advance to the MLS Cup final Dec. 6.
at Columbus 2, New York 0: Justin Meram had the fastest goal in MLS Cup playoff history, Kei Kamara also scored and the Crew won the first leg of the Eastern Conference finals.
Meram opened the scoring at the nine-second mark. Kamara had a glancing header off a long ball, Ethan Finlay ran it down but lost control between two defenders and Meram sent the loose ball home.
Kamara scored in the 85th minute. Cedrick beat three defenders in the box and sent a shot off the hand of goalkeeper Luis Robles. Kamara was left alone at the far post for an easy tap in.
New York was held scoreless for the first time since May 24.
The second game is Sunday night in Harrison, New Jersey.
